The carefree life: Sally Keenan (age 5-1/2) takes a big step off playground equipment during District 10's Como Neighborhood Social at Orchard Park. About 275 neighbors enjoyed sunshine, food, music, and each other's company.
Improving Como Lake -- All of Us 
Photo:  Annie Huidekoper
How healthy is Como Lake? The Capitol Region Watershed District unveils its latest findings about water quality, the challenges the lake faces, and how we, as residents, can become part of the solution -- in how we handle, among other things, our lawn, our leaves, and our pet waste. It's all part of District 10's final Sunday Series presentation for the year.

Details: The free event, "Working to Improve Como Lake, " is this Sunday, June 11, from 1-2:30 p.m. on the third floor of Como Dockside. Co-sponsored by Como Active Citizens Network and Como Dockside. 
Macroinvertebrates can be handsome, don't you think?
Wonder What Swims in Como Lake? 
Then bring a child, age 6-11, to " Bugs' Night Out" this  Tuesday, June 13. Bug expert Brandon Burns will help children find out what kind of macroinvertebrates inhabit the lake -- and what that tells us about the lake's water quality. The event is free, but you 've got to reserve your spot; contact Lindsay at the Capitol Region Watershed District by email or by phone at 651-644-8888. Then meet at the dock behind the Pavilion at 6 p.m. June 13. Children must bring an adult.
One of the fun parts of the Como Pool.
Perfect Timing for a 90-Degree Day
 
Swimming pools and beaches open this weekend in Saint Paul and throughout Ramsey County.  The Como Park pool opens Saturday, June 10. Hours are 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m. weekdays, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. weekends and holidays. Get the full rundown on Como ' s admission fees, class schedules, and which part of the pool is open for which activities when. Details are also available for Saint Paul's Great River Water Park, Highland Aquatic Center, and Phalen Park Beach .

Ramsey County's beaches also open Saturday: 
  • Lifeguards are on duty from noon-8 p.m. every day at the beaches at Tony Schmidt Regional Park in Arden Hills, Long Lake in New Brighton, Lake Josephine and Lake McCarrons in Roseville, and White Bear Lake in (yes, this is redundant) White Bear Lake.
  • Beaches are open without lifeguards at Lake Gervais in Little Canada, and at Lake Owasso and Turtle Lake, both in Shoreview. 
  • The beach at Snail Lake in Shoreview is closed this summer.
That Ought to Get Their Attention
 
District 10 is launching a "safety flag" project at hazardous crosswalks in the neighborhood. We're mounting flag kits at six crosswalks that, based on surveys, residents say are hazardous.

The concept is simple: As a pedestrian, you 1) grab a fluorescent orange flag that's mounted on one side of the crosswalk, 2) wave it to get motorists' attention, 3) walk across safely. After all, state law requires drivers and cyclists to stop for pedestrians in any crosswalk -- marked or unmarked. (Once you reach the other side, just deposit the flag in the canister mounted there.)

Sponsor a crosswalk: If you want to sponsor a flag kit for a crosswalk that's important to you, round up $31.50, and we'll make and mount another kit. Find a list of more than a dozen available intersections on our website. Just make your choice, then call us at 651-644-3889 or email us. We'll handle the rest.
ComoFest: Only a Month Away   
 
June is marching by, which means it's time to 1) buy a Father 's Day card and 2) start planning for ComoFest. The annual activities bring affordable family fun to every part of our neighborhood the last three weekends in July. Get a peek at this year's full schedule at www.ComoFest.org. 
Watching Our Waste: Take a Survey
   
 
Our partners at Ramsey County want to know what it will take to motivate us to reduce waste, increase recycling, and divert trash from landfills. Take their survey and let them know. The deadline is June 23.

Lyngblomsten Gets National Recognition   
 
Congratulations to Lyngblomsten, which is the first senior-care organization in Minnesota to receive certification by the Service Enterprise Initiative. The Initiative recognizes exceptional volunteer programs nationwide. Lyngblomsten is a retirement community at 1415 Almond. 
If Sundaes on Wednesday, Who's on First?     
St. Timothy Lutheran Church launches its weekly, summertime "Sundaes on Wednesday" events this Wednesday, June 14. They start dishing the ice cream at 6:30 p.m. This week, they follow up with a free concert of movie music at 7. St. Tim's is at 1465 Victoria.
Road Crews Seal the Deal
Ramsey County continues to seal cracks on its roads. That can mean one-day detours or delays. Scheduled for this week in our general vicinity:
  • Fairview from Larpenteur north to County Road B
  • Dale from Highway 36 north to County Road C
Over on Snelling Ave., there are signs of progress. The southbound ramp from Snelling to Como Ave. is expected to reopen this Tuesday, June 13. The exit ramp from eastbound Highway 36 to Snelling, and the entrance ramp from northbound Snelling to eastbound 36 is expected to reopen this Wednesday, June 14. Otherwise, the rest of the mess remains pretty much the same: Only one lane of Snelling is open in each direction between Como Ave. north to County Road B. Access at cross streets may be restricted on any given day. And Larpenteur is also down to one lane in each direction at Snelling. 

However, this Monday, June 12, a new project begins on Snelling from Highway 36 north to Interstate 694. MnDOT is installing new median barriers, and replacing signs, lights, and guardrails. Some lanes will be closed at night and during the day when it's allegedly not rush hour. That work will last through July. Meanwhile, ongoing projects include:
  • Como Ave.: Only one lane is open in each direction from east of Raymond to Commonwealth. Also, there is no access on the north at the Cleveland intersection.
  • Interstate 694: The ramps from eastbound 694 to Lexington and from Lexington to eastbound 694 are closed through July 7. The ramps from eastbound 694 to Rice and from Rice to eastbound 694 will close this Tuesday, June 13, and remain closed through mid-July. 
  • Raymond Ave.: Through the end of June, the street remains closed completely from Standish south to Energy Park; there is limited access from Como south to Standish.
Speaking of Road Projects
   
 
Ramsey County is partnering with the Minnesota Department of Transportation on "community visioning" workshops as part of MnDOT's Rethinking I-94 project. The project is looking at the nitty-gritty and big picture of the interstate's corridor through Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Two workshops take place nearby this week:
  • Monday, June 12: Merriam Park Recreation Center, 2000 St. Anthony Ave., 5-7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, June 13: Hubbs Center for Lifelong Learning, 1030 W. University, 5-7 p.m.
... And if You've Got Any Vision Left 
   
 
Saint Paul, Roseville, and Maplewood are cooperating (can you believe it?) on what to do with the intersection of Rice and Larpenteur. The cities are coming up with a "gateway vision plan" for redevelopment and reinvestment all the way west to Dale. The first community workshop is this Wednesday, 6-8 p.m., at Washington Technology Magnet School, at Rice and Nebraska. Refreshments and diversions for children are available. A follow-up workshop is June 21, same time and place.
We're Always Looking Ahead 
  • This Saturday, June 10: Grand opening ceremony for Ramsey County's tuj lub courts, 9 a.m. Near Shelters 4 and 5 in Keller Park, 2166 Maplewood Drive. Tuj lub (pronounced too loo) is a Hmong top-spinning game on a grass court.
  • This Wednesday, June 14: Public hearing on possible fare increases on Metro Transit, 6 p.m. Metropolitan Council offices, 390 N. Robert St.
  • Wednesday, June 21: Public hearing on a sound level variance for the Hmong Freedom Celebration, 5:30 p.m. Third-floor City Council chambers, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. District 10's Land Use Committee is recommending approval of the variance. 
  • Friday-Sunday June 23-25: Back to the 50s Car Show, State Fairgrounds (and streets everywhere).
  • Friday June 23: Deadline to nominate businesses and institutions, residential landscaping and gardens, public art, and landmark trees for a 2017 Blooming Saint Paul award.
  • Friday June 30: Deadline for students in grades 9-12 to apply to the Youth Engagement Program at Como Zoo and Conservatory.
  • Friday June 30: Saint Paul Planning Commission holds a public hearing on the Ford Site Master Plan, which has folks in Highland lining up against each other. You can submit comments ahead of time on the web or by email.
  • Saturday-Sunday July 1-2: 37th annual Hmong Freedom Celebration and Sports Festival, McMurray Fields.
  • Sunday July 9: Color Run, State Fairgrounds.
What's Happening in the Park?
What's Happening on the Fairgrounds?     
  • Stamp and Scrapbook Expo: Today-Saturday, June 9-10, Education Building.  Until 6 p.m. today; 9 a.m-5 p.m. Saturday. Admission: $10 teens and adults; free for children 12 or younger.
  • Antiques and Decorative Arts Show: This Saturday-Sunday, June 10-11, Fine Arts Center. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $6
  • St. Paul Summer Beer Fest: This Saturday, June 10, International Bazaar, 1-5 p.m. $55
  • Machinery Hills Criterium du Nord: This Tuesday, June 13, roadways north of Hoyt Ave. 4-9 p.m. Bicycle road race training series; four races (beginners-experts). Entry fees: $10-$25.
  • 4-H Youth Exploring Leadership and Learning Outload: This Wednesday-next Saturday, June 14-17, 4-H Building.
  • Region 10 Arabians Championship horse show: This Wednesday-next Sunday, June 14-18, Warner Coliseum. Free admission for spectators.
Also, we'll be able to admire from afar (but won't be able to get into) a private Airstream Club camping event that packs up this Sunday, June 11. 
The Sun Goes Down, the Sound Comes Up
Groovin' in the Garden is back. Every Wednesday through July, the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory throws a free outdoor concert. The music runs from 6-8 p.m., and there's plenty of food, ice cream, beer and wine for sale to justify you skipping dinner. This week, June 14, it's Americana roots tunes from Crankshaft and the Gear Grinders. 
The People Brothers Band brings R&B from Madison.
Which Community Doesn't Have a Band?
Free outdoor music continues in the shade of the promenade of the Lakeside Pavilion, 1360 Lexington Parkway N. This week's lineup:
  • Today, Friday June 9, King Wilkie's Dream, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 10, The People Brothers Band, 6 p.m.; Soulgrass After Party, 9 p.m. (inside on the third floor)
  • Sunday, June 11, Como Pops, 3 p.m.; Shoreview Northern Lights Band, 7 p.m.
  • Monday, June 12, Fridley City Band, 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, June 13, Centennial Community Band, 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 14, Medalist Concert Band, 7 p.m.
  • Thursday, June 15, Northeast Community Band, 7 p.m.
Check out the season's full lineup at Como Dockside's calendar page.

The movie that made Reese's Pieces famous: Dockside's weekly Movie on the Lake features "ET: Extra-Terrestrial." You love it or you don't. The lights go down on the promenade at 9:15 p.m. this Saturday, June 10. 
Police Give Youth a Test Run
Saint Paul Police host an open house for youth, ages 14-21, who are interested in learning what it takes to become a police officer. The open house is this Tuesday, June 13, from 6-8 p.m. at downtown headquarters, 367 Grove. Interested youth then can enroll in the department 's Explorer post, which meets Sundays from 2-7 p.m. 
Borrow portable recycling stands like these for free.
We Can Help with Your Party   
   
District 10 has street barricades and portable recycling containers that community members can use for block parties, neighborhood, or family events. You can borrow the recycling containers for free; there are two kinds:
  • For cans, bottles and other items you can include in your weekly recycling.
  • For food scraps and other compostable organics.
The street barricades are required by the city when you block off your street or alley -- but ours are a more-affordable option than getting them from Public Works.
  • Barricades require a $50 deposit. We return $45 when you return the barricades.
  • Reservations are first-come, first-served.
  • To borrow our barricades, you must have an event permit from the city.
To reserve any of this equipment, call our office at 651-644-3889, or send us an email.
Streetcar Station Opens for the Season
The Como Park Streetcar Station is now open every Sunday through September from noon-4 p.m. Stop in to learn a bit about the history of Como Park, admire the new paint job or waxed floor inside, pick up an organics recycling starter kit (including a plastic kitchen bin), or just share comments and suggestions with a District 10 board member who's on staff that day. The Streetcar Station is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. 
Spread the Word
District 10 is one of Saint Paul's 17 citizen participation districts. The District 10 Como Community Council is a nonprofit organization, governed by a Board of Directors who are elected by members of the community. The Council's mission is to inform, educate, and connect the neighborhood to increase community pride and confidence. 

You are receiving this email because you expressed interest in District 10 activities.